A review by elusivity
The Poison Master by Liz Williams
3.0
Score breakdown:
- 4 for the world building, the fascinating cultures based on alchemical elements
- 2 for plot, characterization, the abrupt romance that lacked any build-up or foundation, and the general lack of character logic
This world being full of book yet me short on minutes, my primary gauge for what constitutes a good book is if it keeps me flipping the pages. Despite the thin plot and characterization, THE POISON MASTER kept me up to the wee hours trying to reach its (telegraphed and kinda wimpy) conclusion. The worlds described therein are fascinating--parc-verticales and the various dramatic architecture, drugs that have "souls" which could be convinced to do one thing or another. Creative stuff.
On the downside, the main characters are basically cardboard. The novel ends with more questions left unanswered than not. The heroine is a strong female with a single preoccupation in life--to save her twin from the evil villains. However, despite being born in what seems like a backwater world where high tech is outlawed from the masses, she accepts seemingly-too-good offers from mysterious off-worlders with amazing calmness. Just off she goes to overthrow the masters of all the known planets, armed with a plan as insubstantial as when mice plot to overthrow supersonic jetfighters.
And what about that mysterious off-worlder? No background information for him, really. No details on his origin or background, only the barest reasons for his motivation, no interactions shown between him and his fellows. For a man with the novel named after him... he is a blank, and blandly so. Finally, what's the story behind those red eyes? I was captivated by their description--"two garnets set on a fan of bone"--lovely. ...AND?
I could go on, but won't. Regardless, I recommend this book for an interesting journey to the four worlds, but nothing more.
- 4 for the world building, the fascinating cultures based on alchemical elements
- 2 for plot, characterization, the abrupt romance that lacked any build-up or foundation, and the general lack of character logic
This world being full of book yet me short on minutes, my primary gauge for what constitutes a good book is if it keeps me flipping the pages. Despite the thin plot and characterization, THE POISON MASTER kept me up to the wee hours trying to reach its (telegraphed and kinda wimpy) conclusion. The worlds described therein are fascinating--parc-verticales and the various dramatic architecture, drugs that have "souls" which could be convinced to do one thing or another. Creative stuff.
On the downside, the main characters are basically cardboard. The novel ends with more questions left unanswered than not. The heroine is a strong female with a single preoccupation in life--to save her twin from the evil villains. However, despite being born in what seems like a backwater world where high tech is outlawed from the masses, she accepts seemingly-too-good offers from mysterious off-worlders with amazing calmness. Just off she goes to overthrow the masters of all the known planets, armed with a plan as insubstantial as when mice plot to overthrow supersonic jetfighters.
And what about that mysterious off-worlder? No background information for him, really. No details on his origin or background, only the barest reasons for his motivation, no interactions shown between him and his fellows. For a man with the novel named after him... he is a blank, and blandly so. Finally, what's the story behind those red eyes? I was captivated by their description--"two garnets set on a fan of bone"--lovely. ...AND?
I could go on, but won't. Regardless, I recommend this book for an interesting journey to the four worlds, but nothing more.